Summer is a fun time for dogs, but it also has many risks - between the sun, heat, insects, water play and other outdoor adventures, the dog days of summer are also some of the most dangerous. However, with a few simple tips you can ensure your canine companion enjoys the warm season safely.

One of the most important considerations to make for your dog in the summer involves the heat. PetMD.com reports that dogs may enjoy the warm weather as much as humans do, but it is important to remember how much easier it is for a dog - especially those with thick coats - to overheat. The news outlet recommends providing plenty of water and shade to dogs when they are outside and never leaving a dog in an unattended car if you are traveling with your dog. Even when it is 70 degrees outside, the inside of your car can easily heat up to 100 degrees within minutes, causing heatstroke - one of the more serious dog emergencies.

If you are allowing your dog off-leash at home or at an outdoor event, it is important to watch what it might be eating. Many people use insecticides, rodenticides and lawn treatments during this time of the year, and almost all of them can be toxic to dogs. Dogs may also get into another animal's feces, which is a risk for worms in dogs. You should also always check for ticks in dogs and dog wounds after a romp outside.

HOW TO REACH US

VCA Pets Are People Too Veterinary Hospital

Phone: 404-875-7387

Fax: 404-875-1455

1510 Piedmont Avenue

Atlanta,
GA30324

BUSINESS HOURS

Mon-Sun Open 24 hours

General Practice (Wellness Care) hours are 8:30AM until 7PM Monday to Friday, 8:30 until 5PM Saturday and Sunday. Open for Emergencies 24 hours with no appointment needed.

Please call us at 404-875-7387. We are located at 1510 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta, GA 30324.
We provide the highest standard in veterinary emergency and critical care services. We are trained and equipped to perform a variety of emergency surgeries and procedures. We provide the highest standards of pain management. Emergency internal medicine consultations, including full diagnostics, are available.

Please call or come in immediately if you feel your pet is having an emergency or needs after-hours care.

Specialty Care

As part of the VCA family, we have over 83 specialty hospitals across the US and Canada which provide referral specialty care, so there may be one near you. Enter ZIP to find VCA specialty care hospitals near you.